Regional development and environmental management: New opportunities for cooperation

This paper outlines a management system designed to improve both economic development and environmental management at the regional level. It explains the sorts of initiatives which can be taken in the local economy which can not only improve regional environmental performance but, by involving businesses, can also aid the development of better environmental performance at the firm level. The main thrust of this paper is therefore to show how company-based environmental management systems and a regional environmental management system (REMS) can be compatible. It is argued that there is a need to develop a more integrated regional environmental management system which is capable of exploring the synergistic effect of applying environmental management policies to all sectors of activity. This change from a piecemeal to a holistic approach can be seen as an important part of a "sustainable development" approach noting that environmental quality has an impact on the performance of the economy. Industry itself can benefit greatly by the additional help which will be provided by firms working together cooperatively with the support of a regional team. The REMS will complement the firm's own internal environmental management system and further add to the firm's competitive advantage if the region can attract a "green label". To a large extent the future of the environment and of the planet requires more cooperation and the concept of the regional environmental management system extends much of the best practice discussed by a wide range of practitioners.